Bell-Corley Construction Co.

Bell-Corley Construction Co. continued on a roll during 2005. The Little Rock contracting firm more than doubled its revenue to $25 million, with the fledgling Rogers office contributing 30 percent of the total.

The company also moved into new quarters at 100 Gamble Road, providing needed elbow room and space for growth. Accompanying these developments was a staff that expanded from 22 to 48.

Focusing on small and mid-sized commercial projects, Bell-Corley does business in Arkansas and surrounding states as part of a 10-state region that extends east to Alabama, Georgia and Florida.

The venture started as a niche construction firm and, at the request of clients, expanded its services three years ago to include full-blown general contracting.

Restaurants, retail projects and office buildings are three of its hottest market segments.

Founded in April 2001 by brothers-in-law Matt Bell and Boyd Corley, the company began by specializing in interior finishout services for property management firms.

The firm quickly established a reputation for reliable on-time, on-budget work and top-notch customer service. “Our reputation is everything to us,” Bell said.

He credits the staff with exceeding customer expectations and allowing the firm to vie with older, more established companies on the battlefield of competitive pricing and quality workmanship.

Bell and Corley bought and sold real estate together before forming the construction firm. Corley’s background is in construction, and Bell’s is in mortgage lending.

Bell remembers the initial conversation when Corley pitched the idea about teaming up to start their own construction firm.

Bell thought it was a crazy idea at the time, but as things have played out, the notion has proven to be wonderfully successful.